Higher risk for influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) in
asthmatic patients. A Swiss multicenter cohort study on IAPA in
critically ill influenza patients.
Abstract
Background: Influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) is an
important complication of severe influenza with high morbidity and
mortality. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study in
tertiary hospitals in Switzerland during 2017/18 and 2019/20 influenza
seasons. All adults with PCR-confirmed influenza infection and treatment
on intensive-care unit (ICU) for >24h were included. IAPA
was diagnosed according to previously published clinical, radiological
and microbiological criteria. We assessed risk factors for IAPA and
predictors for poor outcome which was a composite of in-hospital
mortality, ICU length of stay ≥7d, mechanical ventilation ≥7d or
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Results: 158 patients (median age
64 years, 45% females) with influenza were included, of which 17
(10.8%) had IAPA. Asthma was more common in IAPA patients (17% vs. 4%
in non-IAPA, p=0.05). Asthma (OR 12.0 (95% CI 2.1-67.2)) and days of
mechanical ventilation (OR 1.1 (1.1 – 1.2)) were associated with IAPA.
IAPA patients frequently required organ supportive therapies including
mechanical ventilation (88% in IAPA vs. 53% in non-IAPA, p=0.001) and
vasoactive support (75% vs. 45%, p=0.03) and had more complications
including ARDS (53% vs. 26%, p=0.04), respiratory bacterial infections
(65% vs. 37%, p=0.04) and higher ICU-mortality (35% vs. 16.4%,
p=0.05). IAPA (OR 28.8 (3.3–253.4)), influenza A (OR 3.3 (1.4-7.8)) and
higher SAPS II score (OR 1.07 (1.05—1.10)) were independent predictors
of poor outcome. Interpretation: High clinical suspicion, early
diagnostics and therapy are indicated in IAPA because of high morbidity
and mortality. Asthma is likely an underappreciated risk factor for
IAPA.